Naked ambitions

CHINA - An increasing number of young Chinese women have been arranging to have photographs taken of them nude.

Cattleya, a studio in Chongqing, China, caters to such a market and is already booked out until the end of the year.

"We have served over 5,000 customers from across the country. Some even fly here from Beijing and Hong Kong," the studio's co-founder Lu Miaoting told the Global Times.

The studio began four years ago with less than 10 employees. Now, it employs 38 people, all women, who have to work six days a week to meet demand. They get about 10 customers a day.

It is just one of the many studios in Chongqing alone, and there are thousands more countrywide.

Customers tend to be women in their 30s and 20s who wish to keep photos that capture their youth or pregnancy.

Most sociologists and art critics see the trend as a form of social progress and liberation.

Unlike the classical nude in the Western tradition, nudes in the Chinese artistic tradition were traditionally limited to chiefly erotic works. But concepts are changing.

Miss Luo Nana, 21, a saleswoman for a company that sells wedding dresses in Guangzhou, took a series of body art photos last September. She said the album will help her remember her youth.

"I like the photos very much and they are valuable souvenirs. It's best to do it right now when I'm young. Otherwise, I'll regret it when I am 70 or 80."

Another woman from Guangzhou, who wanted to be known only as Wing, said she took body art photos at two stages of her pregnancy.

"It was important for me. My husband supported my decision. I'm going to take another set of photos of my body after birth," she said.

CONTROVERSY

While most body art photography businesses strive to maintain a professional image, there have been controversies.

Last May, a photographer for a Beijing studio was arrested for allegedly raping a female customer while shooting nude photos of her, the Beijing Times reported.

Last February, China closed 62 websites over involvement in prostitution and pornography, while using the term "human body art".

Mr Chen Chang, a studio owner, said the low entry qualifications to be a nude photographer also contributes to the chaos.

"But if the photographer doesn't care about his reputation, he will hardly seek long-term development in the circle," he said.

This article was published on May 14 in The New Paper.

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